10 Plug-In Cars for 2012 and Beyond

With growing concerns over the environment, the looming reality that fossil fuels actually are finite, and stricter CAFE regulations, the automotive industry's focus on fully electric vehicles is stronger than ever. From sporty roadsters to econoboxes, here's a look at the cars currently available with a plug, as well as a sneak peak to the cars we can look forward to in the coming years.

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt

We're going to give a pass to the Volt as it's technically a plug-in hybrid, with a 1.4-liter gas engine feeding power to the battery after the Volt runs 40 miles from a full charge. That said, the Volt has become the go-to vehicle for all electric car discussions. The Volt is recognized as the first real step from a major American auto company to bring plug-ins to the market. Demand for the car is high, and beyond the battery, it's a smartly designed, well-turned-out American car that makes you feel a little bit better about the future of the industry. If possible, try to get a good look at one on the road or at a dealer—the future looks pretty good.

Ford Focus EV

Ford Focus EV

Ford's electrified Focus swaps the gas engine for a 123-hp electric motor and carries a liquid-cooled 23-kwh lithium ion battery pack under the floor and rear seats. The range should be about 100 miles. In other words, it will perform a lot like the Nissan Leaf.

Ford, however, claims the Focus can be recharged in only 3 hours. Granted, that assumes a 240-volt Level 2 charger, but even with the higher voltage, the Leaf requires about double that time. With just a 120-volt charger, however, the Focus needs a painful 16 to 20 hours for a full charge, which makes the navigation system's charge-station finder a critical feature.